ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 707-321C G-BEBP Lusaka Airport (LUN)
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Status:Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date:Saturday 14 May 1977
Time:09:33 UTC
Type:Silhouette image of generic B703 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
Boeing 707-321C
Operating for:IAS Cargo
Leased from:Dan-Air Services
Registration: G-BEBP
MSN: 18579/332
First flight: 1963
Total airframe hrs:47621
Cycles:16723
Engines: 4 Pratt & Whitney JT3D-3B
Crew:Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 5
Passengers:Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Total:Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6
Aircraft damage: Destroyed
Aircraft fate: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:3,7 km (2.3 mls) W of Lusaka Airport (LUN) (   Zambia)
Phase: Approach (APR)
Nature:Cargo
Departure airport:Nairobi International Airport (NBO/HKNA), Kenya
Destination airport:Lusaka Airport (LUN/FLLS), Zambia
Narrative:
The aircraft departed Nairobi (NBO) at 07:17 for the final leg of a London-Heathrow - Athens - Nairobi - Lusaka cargo flight. Boeing 707 G-BEBP proceeded to Lusaka at FL310. At 09:07 the flight was cleared to descend to FL110. This altitude was reached at 09:23, 37nm DME from Lusaka. A clearance was then given to descend further down to FL70 in 1000 feet steps. At 09:28 the co-pilot reported that the airfield was in sight. Lusaka then cleared the aircraft to descend to 6000 feet (2221 feet above runway elevation) and moments later a clearance was given to make a visual approach for runway 10. At 09:32 flaps were selected to 50 degrees. Suddenly, at 09:33, the complete right-hand horizontal stabilizer and elevator assembly were seen to separate in flight. The aircraft pitched rapidly nose down and dived vertically into the ground from a height of about 800 feet. The main wreckage was located 3660 m from the runway threshold.

Probable Cause:

CAUSE: "The accident was caused by a loss of pitch control following the in-flight separation of the right hand horizontal stabilizer and elevator as a result of a combination of metal fatigue and inadequate failsafe design in the rear spar structure. Shortcomings in design assessment, certification and inspection procedures were contributory factors.

Accident investigation:

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Investigating agency: AIB (U.K.)
Status: Investigation completed
Duration: 1 year and 9 months
Accident number: AAR 9/1978
Download report: Final report

Classification:
Wing failure
Loss of control

Follow-up / safety actions

AAIB issued 4 Safety Recommendations

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Photos

photo of Boeing-707-321C-G-BEBP
Flight profile of G-BEBP
photo of Boeing-707-321C-G-BEBP
accident date: 14-05-1977
type: Boeing 707-321C
registration: G-BEBP
 

Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Nairobi International Airport to Lusaka Airport as the crow flies is 1806 km (1129 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.

This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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Boeing 707

  • 858 built
  • 59th loss
  • 42nd fatal accident
  • 27th worst accident (at the time)
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 Zambia
  • 3rd worst accident (at the time)
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